Middle school students to host polar plunge

After discovering a special connection with each other, three Westhampton Beach Middle School eighth-graders teamed up to initiate a polar plunge to benefit East End Disability Associates. The fundraising event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 1 p.m., at Rogers Beach in Westhampton Beach.

The commonality among the trio of Anthony Agudelo, Lauren Goss and Reilly Mahon is that each of them has a loved one with a disability. Agudelo and Goss each have a family member with autism, and Mahon’s father lost his right arm in a work accident.

“We thought we could help others with disabilities by doing a fundraiser,” said Agudelo.

The students discovered their common link while sharing personal stories after a full-day, in-school HerStory writers’ workshop held in September. As part of the workshop, students were inspired to use the power of their personal stories to make a difference in the world around them.

According to their Critical Literacy teacher, Kelly Russell, the three eighth-graders took it upon themselves to create the polar plunge action project. They reached out to East End Disability, obtained permits to use the beach, acquired a coffee and hot chocolate donation from the Hampton Coffee Company, and have been working to advertise their event.

“I am so impressed with these students,” said Russell. “They have worked hard doing all of this in their free time.”

The students say they hope to raise as much as they can for the nonprofit organization. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at https://www.eed-a.org/polar-plunge.html. Donations are also welcome.